Curriculum Vitae Jessica Schechter 788 Columbus Ave. Apt. 6D New York, NY, 10025 (631)-806-3896 Email: jss475@gmail.com Website: www.jesssicaschechter.com ________________________________________________________________ EDUCATION MFA BS The Actors Studio MFA Program at PACE University New York University Directing 2015 Educational Theatre 2009 Double Minor: Dramatic Literature and Studio Art FULL-TIME ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE Director of the Drama Program Tizmoret Arts Conservatory – New York, NY ♦ Coordinated and organized scheduling for multidisciplinary program performances ♦ Taught intensive acting class to drama majors ♦ Directed an integrated art, music, dance, and drama original collaborative production 2009-Present Theatre Arts Department Chair Soundview Academy for Culture and Scholarship – Bronx, NY 2011-2012 ♦ Founder of theatre program and after school theatre program director ♦ Set up partnerships with specialty programs including Stage Doors, Broadway Jr. and C&T theatre ♦ Created and implemented theater curriculum in accordance with Blueprint and Content Core Standards Performing Arts Teacher Professional Performing Arts High School - New York, NY 2009-2011 ♦ Taught acting technique and introduction to theatre classes to drama and musical theatre students ♦ Taught dramatic literature from the lens of playwright, actor, and production team ♦ Developed acting values unit and facilitated character development workshops Director of Drama Program Moshava Ba’ir – Teaneck, New Jersey 2011-2012 ♦ Taught integrated theater classes which incorporated Biblical themes into dramatic activities ♦ Developed curriculum for the drama program as well as camp wide educational programs ♦ Wrote and directed original scripts for multiple shows throughout the season Creator and Director of Drama Program Summer Experience for Girls – South Fallsburg, NY ♦ Devised and directed collective performance piece with teenage girls ♦ Taught improvisation, character building, and physical theatre 2007-2008 PART-TIME ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE Adjunct Professor Touro College –New York, NY ♦ Taught Interpersonal Communication Course in the Speech and Communications Department ♦ Consulted on new curriculum for Applied Theater Initiative within the University ♦ Teaching College Writing I in the English Department 2015 Adjunct Professor Borough of Manhattan Community College – New York, NY ♦ Teaching Public Speaking Courses in the Speech, Communications, and Theater Department 2015 TA for Improvisational Movement I and II Actors Studio Drama School at PACE University – New York, NY ♦ Lead warm ups and guided movement exercises to graduate level students 2015 Student Teacher East Village Community School – K-1 CTT Inclusion Class - New York, NY ♦ Worked with students on language acquisition and literacy skills ♦ Integrated arts into the curriculum, taught lesson and unit plans ♦ Implemented student self-evaluation practices and behavioral modification systems 2009 RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE The Public Theater – New York, NY Production Intern ♦ Worked in lighting, scenery, and props departments for The Shakespeare in the Park season ♦ Set up and organized backstage area and assisted in the daily operations of the theater 2014 14th Street Y – New York, NY Arts Administration and Development Intern ♦ Researched grants and archived photos for social media marketing ♦ Coordinated scheduling and daily operations for the theater and other Y Programs 2013 Jewish Plays Project – 14th Street Y – New York, NY Assistant Stage Manager and Assistant Director ♦ Assisted in Dramaturgical research for productions ♦ Ran light board, called cues, and ran daily operations of the theater 2013 New York University – New York, NY Resident Assistant ♦ Organized floor and building wide programs ♦ Facilitated educational workshops for freshman students SEMINARS ATARA Arts Conference Guest Lecturer Theatre: Scene by Scene • Taught techniques of interpreting and analyzing a script, working with actors, and communicating a fully realized theatrical vision ATARA Arts Conference Guest Lecturer Creating Theater With Young People • Presented tools and strategies for devising original work with teenagers MATAN Conference Guest Lecturer Educational Theatre • Lead workshop in how to incorporate theater into curriculum to make learning more active and engaging for participants 2007-2009 2012 2010, 2011 2011 PUBLICATIONS IN FIELD OF EXPERTISE Article “Kindertransport: Telling the Story”, Revue: News from the Program in Educational Theatre, Issue 10, Summer 2008 Article “No Ordinary J.A.P.: The Journey of a Jewish American Performer”, Ed Theatre News, Issue 7, Fall 2006 DIRECTING Observe Fires in the Mirror Gruesome Playground Injuries Laundry and Bourbon Rolling With the Punches* The Safety of Closed Eyes* Conversations with Anne and Martin Milk Bath* Here We are Rolling with the Punches The Informer Estelle Singerman The Third Wave Grunions Boy in Blue* Kol Isha: The Musical!* Once on this Island Jr. The Somewhat True Tale Of Robin Hood Breaking the Fourth Wall* Division of Faith* I Never Saw Another Butterfly Who Will Carry the Song* Alveli* The Little Mermaid A My Name is Alice Midtown International Theater Fest., NYC Director ASDS Repertory, NYC Director ASDS Repertory, NYC Director 2015 2015 2015 ASDS Repertory, NYC ASDS Repertory, NYC Harlem School for the Arts, NYC Anne Frank Center, NYC Director Director Director Director 2015 2015 2015 2014 Open Tent Theater Co., NYC Actors Studio Drama School, NYC Actors Studio Drama School, NYC Actors Studio Drama School, NYC Jewish Plays Project, NYC YUHSG Theater Co., NYC Actors Studio Drama School, NYC Actors Studio Drama School, NYC Tizmoret Arts Conservatory, MD Soundview Academy Theater, NYC HANC Drama Program, NY Director Director Director Director Assistant Director Director Director Director Director Director Director 2014 2014 2014 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2012 2011 Tizmoret Arts Conservatory, MD Tizmoret Arts Conservatory, MD HANC Drama Program, NY Director Director Director 2011 2010 2010 Tizmoret Arts Conservatory, MD Tizmoret Arts Conservatory, MD Flatbush HS Drama Program, NY ATARA Theater Co., NYC Director Director Director Director 2009 2008 2008 2008 *Denotes Original Devised Work DIRECTING TRAINING: Preparing to Direct and Devising with Brian Rhinehart Directing II and III with Andreas Manolikakis ACTING The Pavilion Uncle Vanya Lou Gehrig Did Not Die of Cancer The Heidi Chronicles Kari Marina Barbara Heidi Actors Studio Drama School, NYC Twenty Four Six Theater, NYC Actors Studio Drama School, NYC Actors Studio Drama School, NYC 2014 2014 2013 2013 The Autumn Garden Through the Eyes of a Friend Kindertransport Voices of Women Once Upon a Dream A Musical Journey Father of the Bride Up the Down Staircase Rememberings The Music Man The Diary of Anne Frank Sophie Sarah Eva Ensemble Solo Solo Peggy Miss Barrett Teacher Marian Anne Actors Studio Drama School, NYC Living Voices Theater Co, NYC Provincetown Playhouse, NYC Provincetown Playhouse, NYC Young Israel of East Northport, NY Young Israel of East Northport, NY HANC Drama Program, NY HANC Drama Program, NY HANC Drama Program, NY USDAN Arts Conservatory, NY HANC Drama Program, NY 2012 2009-2012 2008 2006 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2002 ACTING TRAINING: Basic Technique with Susan Aston, Scene Work with Jacqueline Knapp Meisner and Stanislavsky based training IMPROVISATION AND COMEDY: Member of Improvodox - Imrpov Troupe Improvisational Movement with David Frank, Adam Alexander, and Michael Billingsley Stand Up Comedian for 5+ Years VOICE OVER: Addy and Uno animated series Realabilities animated series Theme song Theme Song, Melody, Monique and Additional Students Ex Vivo Dynamics Medical Commercial Narration Saw You At Gettysburg Subway Announcement Holocaust Remembrance Commemoration Narration 2015 2014 2013-2014 2012 2005 Vocal Range: Mezzo Soprano Training: Classical Broadway and Linklater technique DRAMATIC WRITING Kol Isha: The Musical! Alveii For the Gold Rememberings Tizmoret Arts Conservatory Tizmoret Arts Conservatory Provincetown Playhouse HANC Drama Program Co-writer Co-writer Writer Writer PROFESSIONAL HONORS, PRIZES, GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS PACE Presidential Scholarship 2012-2015 Graduated Summa Cum Laude both Undergraduate and Graduate JEWTA Artist Fellowship 2013-2014 Awarded the 2nd Funniest Comedian title in Jewish Week Competition 2013 NYU University Scholar 2005-2009 Founders Fellow 2005-2009 Member of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society 2005-2009 Reynold’s Finalist for Social Entrepreneurship 2007 Dean’s List 2005-2009 K-12 Drama Teaching Certification Twenty Four Six Theater Company Member Drisha Artist Fellowship 2009-2010 2013 2009 2008 2003